Determination of asteroid masses

Abstract

New masses of eight asteroids: (6) Hebe, (10) Hygiea, (15) Eunomia, (52) Europa, (88) Thisbe, (444) Gyptis, (511) Davida, and (704) Interamnia, were determined. In most cases, the masses were calculated by means of the least-squares method as the weighted means of the values found separately from the perturbations on several single asteroids. Encounters suitable for determination of masses of these asteroids were found from the extensive search for large asteroidal perturbations exerted by massive asteroids on 4500 numbered minor planets. Most of the encounters found within the search had never before been used for mass determinations. The masses of Hebe, Hygiea, Eunomia, Europa, Thisbe, Gyptis, Davida and Interamnia were determined from perturbations on, respectively, 2, 8, 3, 4, 1, 1, 2 and 3 asteroids. As an outcome of the search for possible perturbers among the 912 largest asteroids, we propose and use correct dynamical models including important perturbers for all asteroids under consideration. For all new asteroid masses, the influence of the variation of the masses of asteroids in the dynamical model is investigated. A discussion on individual mass determinations is also presented.